| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Deer Mountain (Errol), NH |
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 | Trails: |
ATV Trail, bushwhack |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, June 17, 2022 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
I drove in about 1.5mi on Millsfield Pond Rd, then turned left onto a road (unnamed on Gaia) that headed south, then west toward the peak. This road is evidently called (and signed at the bottom??) Deer Mtn Trail and is an ATV Trail. It’s immediately steep and rocky: mid-clearance needed. My FWD vehicle barely got up the steep, winding incline at the start. Momentum will help. I drove the road to its end on Gaia at about 0.8mi from Millsfield Pond Rd. Beyond the steep, rocky incline, the road is in fine shape. I pulled onto the side at 0.8mi. A high-clearance AWD vehicle could have made it beyond here but it again becomes very steep and rocky. Millsfield Pond Rd would be suitable for any car. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Nothing more than small, muddy drainages |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
No blowdowns across the ATV trail |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Sure |
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 | Bugs: |
I’d be worried about ticks on this peak (similar to Cow Mtn) but I didn’t find any on me. Bugs weren’t too bad otherwise. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
Day 229, Peak 215. 2nd hike of the day after nearby Cow Mtn. Pretty similar peak in terms of woods, distance, elevation, etc.
I continued up this steep, rocky road (Deer Mtn ATV Trail) for 0.1-0.25mi to a minor eastern ridge of the peak. At this point the road seemed to head off bearing and ascend some so I dove into the woods and took a bearing toward the peak. While I could’ve just headed due west, since I’m genetically incapable of walking in a straight line, I instead headed just north of west for about most of the way, then southwest at the end.I have like Cow Mtn, I walked through brushy, young growth areas that I’m guessing we’re logged sometime in the past. They had fun, wet, muddy footing to go along with them. Mostly gentle grades.
I came right to what I think is the highpoint of the mountain in some pokey trees. Looks like branches have been cut here as a previous report noted. That said, no jar. I walked around closer to where th red dot on CalTopo is. I found some pink flagging on my way not far from the red dot but again no jar. Similar in height to the first place with the thicker trees I stood. I then walked over to a third possible contender for the highpoint. A bit more in the open here with more brush than trees, similar to the highpoint of Cow. Again, no jar though. I then headed back to the first place I thought was the true highpoint, noticing that the flagging I saw seemed to lead you this way (if anything). I did not hang a jar.
I returned a bit south of my line up but no real difference. I hit the ATV Trail a bit further along. On that note, it would appear that others have followed the ATV Trail longer than I did to a point SE of the peak and followed the SE ridge to the summit. This would definitely be a longer hike distance wise but it would shave a tenth or two of a mile of the bushwhack and possibly avoid the brushy areas. That said, one report indicated that they hit a spruce band coming up this way. A friendly ATV-er passed me on the road as I neared my car :) I finished shortly before dusk.
1.75mi, with about 400ft of gain, taking me 1hr to complete. 136 more days and 150 more peaks to go… |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2022-06-19 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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